Plant indicators for Folic Histosols in mountain forests of the Calcareous Alps. Issue 2 (15th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olleck, Michelangelo; Reger, Birgit; Ewald, Jörg
• Editors: Fraser, Lauchlan
• Is Part Of: Applied vegetation science. Volume 23:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 285
• Page End: 296
• Publication Date: 2019-12-15
• Subjects: Bavarian Alps -- forest floor -- indicator species analysis -- partial ordination -- Tangel humus -- variance partitioning; Plant ecology -- Periodicals; Plant communities -- Periodicals; Plant populations -- Periodicals; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Periodicals; 581.705
• DOI: 10.1111/avsc.12470
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1402-2001

Abstract

Abstract: Questions: Although thick forest floors overlying unweathered bedrock are important resources for mountain forests' functioning, their actual distribution is poorly known and difficult to delimit in the field. We therefore asked: (a) What is the specific composition of vegetation growing on Folic Histosols; (b) can indicator plants be used to detect Folic Histosols in mountain forests; (c) what do functional traits of plant indicators tell about the ecological properties of Folic Histosols? Location: Northern Calcareous Alps, south Germany. Methods: Based on representative stratified sampling of joint vegetation plots and soil profile descriptions, we estimated the frequency and thickness of Folic Histosols, determined the proportion of compositional variation specifically attributable to forest floor thickness using ordination, applied Indicator Species Analysis and searched for typical traits and ecological requirements of indicator species. Results: The co‐existence of acidophilic and calciphytic plants is typical for the tessellated occurrence and the successional origin of Folic Histosols. In the study region, the detection of Folic Histosols on pure limestone or dolomite by ground vegetation works very well. Particularly acidophilic plants are suitable indicators for thick forest floors. The indicator value of bryophytes and Ericaceae for Folic Histosols is likely related to the colonization of rotten wood. Folic Histosol indicator species are widely spread in the allocation to sociology group, which ranges from open landscapes to dark forests and reflects successional origin. Conclusions: In mountain forests on carbonate bedrock, thick humus layers often occur next to bare rock. This tessellated structure can also be detected in the ground vegetation, where acidophilic and calciphytic plants occur side by side. Thick Folic Histosols in late successional forests are dominated by acidophilic plants colonizing rotten wood. Thus, the detection of Folic Histosols by understorey species is an easy and cost‐effective possibility and one key to protect these vulnerable forest sites. Abstract : Thick forest floors overlying bare carbonate bedrock are essential for ecosystem functioning in forests of the Limestone Alps. To detect these sensitive soils, ground vegetation indicators are an appropriate possibility. In particular, the occurrence of acidophilic plants like Vaccinium myrtillus and Lycopodium annotinum on calcareous or dolomite bedrock is a reliable indicator for thick organic layers.